Hotel Chain Denies Claims of Reselling Rooms Booked by Oasis Fans at Higher Rates

A hotel chain is facing backlash after being accused of cancelling room reservations made by Oasis fans ahead of the band’s highly anticipated reunion tour in 2025. The allegations suggest that the hotel chain, Maldron Hotels, attempted to profit from the surge in demand by reselling the rooms at inflated prices.

Lily Stroud, an Oasis fan from Newcastle, said she took a gamble by booking rooms at a Maldron Hotel in Manchester for two weekends in July 2025, anticipating the band’s reunion. However, after the tour dates were officially announced, she received notice that her bookings had been cancelled due to a “technical error.” The rooms are now listed as unavailable.

Maldron Hotels, which operates two locations in Manchester—Maldron Hotel Manchester City and Maldron Hotel Cathedral Quarter—denied the accusations. A spokesperson for the chain acknowledged an “overbooking issue” at both sites but insisted it was not an attempt to resell the rooms at higher prices.

The controversy arose after Oasis confirmed their reunion tour on Tuesday, with shows scheduled in London, Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Dublin. The band had teased the announcement on social media the day before, fueling speculation and prompting fans to book accommodations in advance.

Sacha Lord, Greater Manchester’s night-time economy adviser, confirmed receiving complaints from several people who claimed their bookings were cancelled and later re-listed at significantly higher prices. He urged the hotel chain to “do the right thing.”

Maldron Hotels stated that all bookings made before August 26 would be honoured and apologized for the inconvenience caused by the “technical error.” They also revealed that the error had led to “substantially more rooms” being booked than were available, and some customers had been able to book rooms at higher rates due to this glitch. These bookings, the spokesperson said, would also be cancelled, and the hotel chain has temporarily suspended new reservations while it investigates the issue.

The situation has left many fans frustrated, with some feeling unfairly priced out of attending the Manchester shows. Room rates at other hotels in the area have also surged, with prices for some weekends during the Oasis gigs nearly doubling compared to other dates.

Manchester City Councillor Pat Karney expressed concern over the situation, stating that if the allegations were true, it would reflect poorly on the hotel chain and the city. He called for a fair approach to pricing, especially during high-demand events.

As the investigation continues, Maldron Hotels faces mounting pressure to address the concerns of fans and ensure transparency in their booking practices.